Kent State University
Purdue
Kent State Visits Purdue Sunday at Noon
12/7/2019 11:38:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Following a three-game homestand, the Kent State women's basketball team goes back on the road to challenge its third Big Ten Conference team of the season when it visits historic Mackey Arena to take on Purdue at noon on Sunday, December 8.
The Golden Flashes (5-2) have won two in a row following Tuesday's 81-58 victory against St. Bonaventure. Megan Carter scored a game-high 21 points and became the 22nd member of Kent State's the 1,000-point club. Nila Blackford totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double. Katie Shumate also grabbed 10 boards and helped the Flashes limit the Bonnies to six offensive rebounds and two second-chance points. Kent State shot 30-for-31 at the free throw line for a 96.8 percentage that is the best in the nation this season with a minimum of 20 attempts in a game.
All five starters are scoring in double-figures. Nila Blackford (15.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) is the top freshman rebounder in the MAC and ranks second in scoring. Lindsey Thall (14.7 ppg) made a school record eight three-pointers and had a career-high 32 points in the home opener against Ohio State. Megan Carter (12.9 ppg) has provided the game-winning shot in the final 2.2 seconds on two occasions already this season. Katie Shumate (12.8 ppg) has displayed a versatile skill set and ranks in the top-two on the team in three-pointers (7), rebounding (5.9 rpg), steals (17) and blocked shots (8). Asiah Dingle (11.3 ppg) averages a team-best 3.4 assists per game.
Scouting Purdue
Purdue (6-2) has lost its past two contests following just the sixth 6-0 start in program history. The Boilermakers lost in the championship game at the Gulf Coast Showcase against No. 22 Gonzaga on Sunday and then dropped its Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup Thursday at Virginia Tech. Purdue, which averages 62.3 points per contest, comes into the game following its three lowest-scoring performances of the season. The Boilermakers shot just 3-for-29 (.103) from behind the three-point line during these games.
Defense is the calling card for this Purdue squad, which ranks in the top-30 nationally in scoring defense (55.0 ppg), field goal percentage defense (.325), three-point field goal percentage defense (.250) and blocked shots (5.6 bpg). Only three opponents have scored at least 60 points and just one has shot 40-percent from the floor.
Senior forward Ae'Rianna Harris was ranked as the 24th-best player in the country by espnW prior to the season following an AP Honorable Mention All-America campaign a year ago. Harris was one of four finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and collected her second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in a row. One of the premier rim protectors in the nation with an average of 3.0 blocks per game, she is Purdue's all-time leader and ranks second among active NCAA Division I players with 308 rejections. Harris is the Boilermakers' second-leading scorer at 11.1 points per game and is second in the Big Ten in rebounding (9.1 rpg).
Guard Dominique Oden is the team's top scorer at 12.5 points per night. An All-Big Ten First Team selection after scoring 15 points per night last season, junior guard Karissa McLaughlin (8.8 ppg) is still seeking to find her rhythm on offense and has a season-best of 13 points. Guards Kayana Taylor (8.9 ppg, 3.9 apg) and Tamara Farquhar (8.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg) round out a starting unit that accounts for nearly 80-percent of the team's scoring.
Series History
• Kent State is 2-2 all-time vs. Purdue.
• The Boilermakers won most recent meeting, 129-81, on Dec. 8, 1990.
• The Golden Flashes won the first matchup in the series, 69-61, in West Lafayette on Feb. 23, 1980.
• Kent State won the rematch 51-49 the following season on Jan. 10, 1981 at the M.A.C. Center.
• Purdue earned its first victory in the series, 74-47, on Dec. 9, 1989 in Kent.
TV / Radio
Dave Wilson will be on the call on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel, while Tim Newton bring the action on BTN+.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes will break for final exams and return to action at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic on December 19-20.
